Differences between HIV-related pharyngitis and ordinary pharyngitis

The differences between HIV-related pharyngitis and ordinary pharyngitis are mainly reflected in distinct causes and mechanisms, different symptom manifestations, varying disease duration, differing accompanying symptoms, and different responses to treatment. A comprehensive assessment based on multiple characteristics is required for accurate judgment. If there is a history of high-risk exposure and persistent pharyngitis symptoms occur, timely medical evaluation is recommended.

1. Different causes and mechanisms: Ordinary pharyngitis is usually caused by common bacterial or viral infections or environmental irritants, and it tends to resolve easily when immune function is normal. In contrast, HIV-related pharyngitis results from opportunistic infections due to immune system damage following HIV infection, and is directly associated with immunodeficiency.

2. Different symptom manifestations: Ordinary pharyngitis primarily presents with sore throat, dryness, and tonsillar swelling, with relatively localized symptoms. HIV-related pharyngitis, in addition to sore throat, often involves severe pharyngeal ulcers and mucosal leukoplakia, causing more intense pain that easily spreads.

3. Different disease duration: With proper treatment, ordinary pharyngitis typically resolves within 1–2 weeks and has a short course. HIV-related pharyngitis lasts longer than two weeks, frequently recurs, responds poorly to conventional treatments, and symptoms tend to worsen over time.

4. Different accompanying symptoms: Ordinary pharyngitis may be accompanied by mild systemic symptoms such as low-grade fever and fatigue. HIV-related pharyngitis is commonly associated with persistent fever, night sweats, rapid weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes—systemic signs of immunodeficiency.

5. Different treatment responses: Symptoms of ordinary pharyngitis quickly improve with standard antibiotics or antiviral medications. HIV-related pharyngitis shows poor response to routine anti-infective treatments and requires combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) and targeted anti-infective regimens for effective management.

In daily life, maintain throat moisture, avoid spicy, irritating, or excessively hot foods, reduce tobacco and alcohol use, maintain regular sleep patterns to strengthen physical health, rinse the throat with warm saline solution for hygiene, avoid excessive voice use, and alleviate throat discomfort.